Game Gear:General Troubleshooting: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "Below is a list of common issues, their common causes, and their solutions. Effectively all Game Gears need a full recap. Some information was used from [https://8bithardware.wixsite.com/website/post/repairing-sega-game-gear this site]. == No Power == * Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. * Corrosion on battery terminals due to leaked AA batteries. Clean them by scrubbing them with distilled vinegar followed by isopropyl alcohol. * Cracked wires (between power boar...") |
(Partial rewrite in progress, most of the screen repair stuff really only applies to the VA4 revision which is featured on the linked page; screen damage on any other rev is pretty much unrepairable) |
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Below is a list of common issues, their common causes, and their solutions | Below is a list of common issues with the Game Gear, their common causes, and their solutions. Some information was used from [https://8bithardware.wixsite.com/website/post/repairing-sega-game-gear this site]. | ||
Note that performing a full recap is absolutely vital with ''any'' unserviced Game Gear, as leaked capacitors can cause all sorts of problems. | |||
== No Power == | == No Power == | ||
| Line 5: | Line 7: | ||
* Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. | * Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. | ||
* Corrosion on battery terminals due to leaked AA batteries. Clean them by scrubbing them with distilled vinegar followed by isopropyl alcohol. | * Corrosion on battery terminals due to leaked AA batteries. Clean them by scrubbing them with distilled vinegar followed by isopropyl alcohol. | ||
* | * Damaged wires between power board and motherboard. Also check for cold solder joints on the connectors. | ||
* If using power supply, it may be a loose power jack. Reflow the solder on the jack | * If using power supply, it may be a loose power jack. Reflow the solder on the jack by adding a small amount of fresh leaded solder. | ||
== No Audio == | == No or Low Audio == | ||
* Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. | * Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. This is the most common cause of low or no audio. | ||
* | * Cold solder joints on the connector between the motherboard and sound board, or damaged wires. | ||
* | * Bad traces resulting from either battery corrosion or leaked electrolytic fluid from bad capacitors. Follow the [[Media:Game_Gear_VA0_Europe_Service_Manual.pdf|service manual]] and ensure continuity for all traces. If any traces are damaged or broken, patch them with wire. | ||
** If damage to the sound board is especially bad, replace it. | |||
== Screen Issues == | == Screen Issues == | ||
| Line 18: | Line 21: | ||
=== Black Screen === | === Black Screen === | ||
* Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. | * Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. | ||
* Damaged or corroded contrast wheel. Verify full range of resistance (0 to | * Damaged or corroded contrast wheel. Verify full range of resistance (0 to 10k ohm) and replace if needed. | ||
* Damaged ribbon cable. | * Damaged ribbon cable. | ||
* Corroded traces. | * Corroded traces. | ||
* Damaged screen. Replace screen. | * Damaged screen. Replace screen or perform a screen modification. | ||
=== Dim or Washed out Image === | === Dim or Washed out Image === | ||
| Line 29: | Line 32: | ||
=== Vertical Third of Image Missing === | === Vertical Third of Image Missing === | ||
If this occurs on a VA0, VA1 or VA5 Game Gear, the screen will need to be replaced as this fault is largely unrepairable. | |||
On the VA4, there are three ICs below the LCD that drive the image on the screen. If a vertical section of the image is missing, and it appears to be one or two thirds of the screen, replace the relevant IC directly south of the screen. Try reflowing the pins south of the IC. Some people have luck with heating the ICs with hot air as a last resort before replacement. | |||
=== Horizontal Lines Missing === | === Horizontal Lines Missing === | ||
* Similar to a Game Boy screen, this is caused by the ribbon cable detaching. If the Game Gear is a VA4 revision, carefully reflow the ribbon cable connections on the right side of the screen. If this occurs on a VA0, VA1 or VA5, the screen will need to be replaced. | |||
* Similar to a Game Boy screen, this is caused by the ribbon cable detaching. | |||
=== Vertical Lines Missing == | === Vertical Lines Missing == | ||
| Line 45: | Line 49: | ||
=== Scrambled Image === | === Scrambled Image === | ||
If it looks like the sprites on screen are garbled, it is likely an issue with | If it looks like the sprites on screen are garbled, it is likely an issue with the VRAM chip. Make sure both your games and the cartridge port are clean, and try reflowing the VRAM's solder joints. Otherwise, replace the VRAM chip. | ||
[[Category:Game Gear]] | |||
Revision as of 08:10, 26 August 2024
Below is a list of common issues with the Game Gear, their common causes, and their solutions. Some information was used from this site.
Note that performing a full recap is absolutely vital with any unserviced Game Gear, as leaked capacitors can cause all sorts of problems.
No Power
- Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap.
- Corrosion on battery terminals due to leaked AA batteries. Clean them by scrubbing them with distilled vinegar followed by isopropyl alcohol.
- Damaged wires between power board and motherboard. Also check for cold solder joints on the connectors.
- If using power supply, it may be a loose power jack. Reflow the solder on the jack by adding a small amount of fresh leaded solder.
No or Low Audio
- Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap. This is the most common cause of low or no audio.
- Cold solder joints on the connector between the motherboard and sound board, or damaged wires.
- Bad traces resulting from either battery corrosion or leaked electrolytic fluid from bad capacitors. Follow the service manual and ensure continuity for all traces. If any traces are damaged or broken, patch them with wire.
- If damage to the sound board is especially bad, replace it.
Screen Issues
Black Screen
- Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap.
- Damaged or corroded contrast wheel. Verify full range of resistance (0 to 10k ohm) and replace if needed.
- Damaged ribbon cable.
- Corroded traces.
- Damaged screen. Replace screen or perform a screen modification.
Dim or Washed out Image
- Bad capacitors. Do a full system recap.
- Damaged or corroded contrast wheel. Verify full range of resistance (0 to 10Kohm) and replace if needed.
Vertical Third of Image Missing
If this occurs on a VA0, VA1 or VA5 Game Gear, the screen will need to be replaced as this fault is largely unrepairable.
On the VA4, there are three ICs below the LCD that drive the image on the screen. If a vertical section of the image is missing, and it appears to be one or two thirds of the screen, replace the relevant IC directly south of the screen. Try reflowing the pins south of the IC. Some people have luck with heating the ICs with hot air as a last resort before replacement.
Horizontal Lines Missing
- Similar to a Game Boy screen, this is caused by the ribbon cable detaching. If the Game Gear is a VA4 revision, carefully reflow the ribbon cable connections on the right side of the screen. If this occurs on a VA0, VA1 or VA5, the screen will need to be replaced.
= Vertical Lines Missing
- Similar to a Game Boy screen, this is caused by the ribbon cable detaching. Carefully reflow the ribbon cable connections directly south of the screen.
Dead Pixels
- Damaged screen. Replace it.
Scrambled Image
If it looks like the sprites on screen are garbled, it is likely an issue with the VRAM chip. Make sure both your games and the cartridge port are clean, and try reflowing the VRAM's solder joints. Otherwise, replace the VRAM chip.